Letters to the Southport Visiter

I AM writing in support of Cllr Porter’s concerns at the installation of cameras at the Co-operative store in Ainsdale.

I am one of the shoppers who received a “Parking Enforcement Notice” in error having parked twice in the store car park on the same evening in early June.

The camera “evidence” claimed wrongly that I had parked there for over three hours and I received very threatening demand for £90, payable within 28 days or I would have my details forwarded to a debt recovery agency.

I did contest the notice and was successful.

I also reported the matter to the police (due to the tone of the letter) and contacted customer relations at the Co-operative Group as a result of which I was told that, as the notice had been cancelled, they assumed that would be the end of the matter.

At no point did I receive an apology for the time and worry associated with their error.

I read in your article this week that the company believes that the vast majority of customers are in favour of the new parking restrictions.

Are they? What is their evidence for this?

I have never been asked for my opinion and neither has anyone else known to me.

Nor have I seen any evidence of communication with shoppers about the issue.

I have been an Ainsdale resident since 1998 and have shopped regularly at the store and at the Kwik Save and Somerfield stores that preceded it on the same site without experiencing any parking problems such as those implied by the store management in the article. I too feel that the Co-operative Group has scored a public relations own goal with their heavy-handed approach to what was, in reality a non-issue, and their continued refusal to listen to the legitimate concerns of customers and other local residents who are receiving these very threatening notices.

In spite of the fact that it is on official record that there have never been any accidents involving cycles and cars on the Coast Road cycle path (Dave Marrin of Sefton Technical Services confirmed this unparalleled safety record in an answer to a written question I submitted to a Southport Local Area Committee meeting earlier this year.)

I have ridden the Coast Road path many times and if I drive down the Coast Road, I see other people using it on bikes.

The surface is in need of improving in some areas but Weavers’ inaccurate and alarmist descriptions are factually, very wide of the mark.

It is incredible that this man, who is supposed to be Sefton’s cycle champion, seems to be doing all he can to put people off cycling on one of Sefton’s safest bike routes!

I am glad to see however, that like those who oppose the proposed plastic track, Fred Weavers agrees that the Coast Road route would benefit from widening.

This would, provide a safe and direct route in to Southport, the sort of route that will provide a practical alternative to car use, get people exercising and possibly cut carbon emissions.

Ironically, although he relentlessly maligns the Coast Road cycle path, Cllr Weavers is indirectly telling cyclists to use it in the future.

This is because if the plastic highway is driven through the dunes, users of it will still have to use the Coast Road cycle path in order to reach it anyway, so Cllr Weavers’ argument is totally self contradictory.

He finishes with comments regarding cyclists, dogs and wildlife.

How can he think that cutting a swathe up to 10 metres across through the dunes using heavy earth moving machinery and building a 10ft wide plastic track will not affect wildlife?

If it is built, many Sefton residents will continue to get healthy exercise by walking in the dunes, some with dogs.

The numbers of these walkers will not reduce as a result of this civil engineering project.

Wildlife will therefore, without any natural cover on the wide track and the influx of cyclists, actually have to contend with much increased disturbance and danger due to human activity. This is not regeneration as he claims, it is more exploitation of the dunes.

It is a great pity he is seeking to mislead us council taxpayers into wasting more money on severely damaging a real asset that Southport should be promoting as a beautiful walking area alongside the cycle network rather than part of it.

Matthew Nelson

Via Email

Share the cash

WHEN the charade of public consultation about the cycle track through Birkdale common is finished the council will build the very wide, asphalted, cycle track across the nature reserve that very few of us want.

Sefton Council has a department devoted to searching for grants. That department costs about £200,000 each year to run.

If it is unsuccessful its efforts are a waste of our money. If it is successful there are strings attached.

The money can only be spent on the specified project. If the money is not spent as specified it is lost.

Another waste of our money especially if it is neither wanted nor needed. A very well-paid committee decides on the merits of each application for a grant.

Only a politician could have introduced such a wasteful system. If there is any taxpayers’ cash available it should be distributed on a per capita basis without strings to allow councils to use it properly.

The money saved by disbanding the allocating committee and the many (nation wide) grant searching departments could be used properly.

JB Leech

Lancaster Road, Southport

Floral tribute

PROFESSOR Stefan Buczacki stated that Southport Flower Show was the “best he has ever seen”.

He added: “I go to lots of shows and this is the best out of anywhere.” (Visiter, August 20).

I wholeheartedly agree for the displays this year were stunning.

He made a pertinent point when stating that the show did not receive enough publicity.

BBC television does not help. Many people are impressed by image, not content and the BBC is no exception.

Many television hours are devoted to RHS Chelsea, RHS Hampton Court and RHS Tatton Park.

Even our own BBC North West news is guilty of giving little publicity to Southport, whereas Tatton features prominently.

As Diarmuid Gavin states: “I think Southport Flower Show is unique and it should retain that.

“It shouldn’t try and compete with the other shows.”

Amen to that.

Despite its uniqueness, a word of warning. There are many adverse comments about high admission prices.

We are in recession and those in charge should appreciate that you cannot keeping increasing admission fees, otherwise you will “kill the goose that lays the golden egg”.

Peter D Moore

Deyes Lane, Maghull

Walk success

ON behalf of the “Red Team” I would like to extend our thanks to all the members of Southport Rotary Club who helped to make Sunday’s Walk4charity so enjoyable.

The weather on the day could not have been better for walking.

The stewards positioned on the route were friendly and encouraging.

They had an eye on the safety of the walkers at all times.

The background work of David Brayshaw and his team must also be acknowledged, for all the effort to organise and staff this event.

The sheer numbers of volunteers required and briefed as to their responsibilities on the day really is a huge undertaking.

Very many thanks to all who helped from members of the Southport Red Cross team.